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“I can’t look for work if I’m locked up in the apartment, now can I?”

She thought a moment.

“We’ll buy a paper and see what sort of work’s out there and then we’ll see about how to apply.”

“I won’t hold my breath,” I said.

“Damn girl, if you was my daughter…”

“I’d commit suicide,” I finished, and he sat with his mouth open for a moment and then shook his head and got up.

“I’m gettin‘ ready to go,” he told Mother darling.

“Why are you so mean to him?” Mother darling whispered. “Don’t you realize we’d have nothin‘ and be nowhere if he wasn’t helpin’ me? The least you can do is show him some respect and appreciation, Robin.”

“What? He—”

“Don’t start,” she snapped. “If you can’t be nice, then just don’t be anythin‘. Just keep your mouth shut, hear?”

I pushed the food away and pouted.

“I don’t have time to baby you now, Robin. I’ve got to make a career happen. You’re just goin‘ to have to grow up or suffer the consequences. Meanwhile, you clean up,” she declared, and left to follow Cory.

I sat fuming until I heard them come out of their bedroom.

“I’ll be callin‘ you first break I get, Robin,” Mother darling said. “Least you could do is wish me luck.”

“Good luck,” I spit back at her.

After they were gone, I cleared off the table and washed the silverware and dishes. I began to think Kathy Ann wasn’t going to come up to the apartment, but she finally did appear.

“When are you coming back?” she asked.

“I’ll be back before midnight,” I said. “I won’t forget this favor.”

“Can’t you be arrested for leaving the apartment?” she wanted to know.

“No. You’re not guilty of anything until the court says.”

“I was never in a courtroom,” she told me, as if she had been denied some pleasure that all girls our age had already enjoyed.

“Lucky you,” I said.

“Does Keefer know you’re going to see him?”

“Not exactly,” I said.

“I told Charlotte Lily about you. She was very interested.”

“Like I care,” I said.

“Bring me back a chocolate bar with nuts. My stepmother threw every piece of candy out of the house today.”

“Axel will like you more if you lose weight.”

“That’s not what he said. He said he likes a woman with something to grab on her.”

“Okay,” I said. “One chocolate bar with nuts.”